The MoTrail is a two-person version of the ProTrail. It offers 44% more floor space and noticeably more headroom than the ProTrail and easily fits two wide, long pads. At just over 1 lb / person, the MoTrail’s fast set-up, bug and weather protection, and packability make it a great ultralight companion for weekenders and thruhikers alike. Going solo? Have a look at the ProTrail.
Your order includes:
- Fully enclosed MoTrail shelter with integrated fly and floor
- Four 6” aluminum stakes + stake bag
- Silnylon stuff sack
Peter Kropotkin (verified owner) –
Since purchasing my tarptent motrail in the fall of 2018 I have spent around 100 nights inside it, carrying it over 1500 miles so far backpacking throughout Florida– including a 70 night stint thruhiking the fnst. This is my first backpacking tent. I was a long time hammock and occasional tarp camper before deciding to pick up a 2p tent for use with my partner. This is my review of it and I’ll include suggestions for those who pick one up.
With a few mods, my setup comes in at just under 40oz — including 10 stakes, extra guyline, and a s2s 15L stuff sack — and, at a cost of 265.00$ usd (07/2021), this is one of the best USA made cost:weight ratio 2p tents out there. Roomy enough for two to ride out a 16 hr thunderstorm, but not exactly spacious, we often sleep comfortably with our packs inside the tent, under our legs, leaving the vestibule free of clutter for ease of entry/exit. Where i frequent, I dont find a groundsheet to be necessary unless the ground is incredibly bogged out (eg – soggy pine Flatwoods), and, even then, we just use our rain skirts laid out under the tent where our upper bodies will be resting.
Interior space is designed for sleeping comfortably, not so much for hanging out and spending all day in. I am over 6′ and have no issue keeping off the walls in my sleep, even with a 20F quilt and inflatable pad. With the front of the tent being the peak, one person at a time can comfortably sit up to change shirts or whatever. Like I said, this is a backpackers tent, made to crawl into at the end of a long day on trail and pass out. The roominess is most “felt” when horizontal, the ceiling is high and out of the way from ones face and feet. The single front entry has never proven to be an issue for us, and, I like that the mesh door hangs from the the top and can be rolled out of the way– as opposed to other tents ive seen on trail, such as the duplex, where the zipper orientation allows the door to fall into the dirt. The strap that attaches to the front pole to add stability to the top strut is ingenious with how much rigidity it adds to the structure. The vestibule can be pitched low, almost to the ground, to limit sideways rain, at the cost of increased condensation. I find using 4 stakes adequate for pitching as advertised, but prefer to use 6 or 8 to increase structural rigidity and pull the sidewalls out to increase ventilation in high humidity.
Ventilation is adequate mostly, and, in good weather, the vestibule doors and windows can be rolled back to allow a breeze. Good campsite selection and staking out a few extra guys can be very helpful in cutting back the inevitable condensation single wall shelters are known for. Since the tent is silnylon it does take on water weight, but it also dries incredibly fast. Every day I make a point to dry out as early in the day as possible, the process takes ~10 mins in full sun.
The tent pitches easily, following the steps laid out by Henry in the video on the product page. It pitches faster than an a-frame tarp, easily under 5 minutes after some practice, the loops and LL3s making final adjustments and sag tensioning quick and mindless. One thing I did to make stealthing easier was swap out the reflective guylines with OD green 2.7mm cord from MLD, a perfect fit for the linelocs. Using trekking poles, one can vary the pitch height and width to suit the weather and campsite. I like the included stakes, though I have crumpled one with a glancing blow while hammering it into hard ground, and had the head slip off another (remedied on trail with super glue). I bring up to 10 stakes with me — weather dependent — preferring Y stakes for the corners, the included Easton nails for the apexes, and shepherds hooks for the panel tie outs.
Packing the tent became much more convenient when I swapped the included stuff sack for my old food bag, a 15L s2s. Its almost stuff-able with the strut now, and allows more give in the pack when I slide it in vertically in front of my food bag. My favorite packing method is a very loosely rolled variation of what is shown in the how-to video.
We have weathered several days worth of storms in this, with wind gusts apparently reaching 50-60mph at times, managing to stay as dry as is reasonable in such a minimal, single wall tent. Side-blown rain rarely gets inside, the bathtub floor with its tensioning system works well, and the water we end up dealing with comes from the inevitable condensation produced when two people batten down the hatches in a humid environment. I just mop it off the ceiling with a bandana if its hella gnarly.
All in all this 2p tent is a great choice for three season backpackers, especially those who want american-made on a budget.
Richard Blomshield (verified owner) –
MoTrail
TWO PERSON TENT
Great tent. Just spent my 1st 4 days in the tent. It rained hard At times every day, and I stayed dry at all times. After an easy first set up I seam sealed it. The only time I felt a bit of very fine spray was, after all night with a bit of condensation on the inside, during a very hard downpour, the condensation was being battered by the rain to the point of it detaching from the inside tent surface. As an experiment I wiped down the interior with my small highly absorbent towel and the misting stopped.
Well designed from the all round, 360°, ventilation to the small double walled foot area. I did replace the Al tent stakes with lighter Titanium and the lines with lighter spectra line. I found that 5 metal stakes were plenty supplemented with a few 6inch pencil sized sticks for the sides. Pack up was quick with, after days of rain, a set up on grass, a surprise in that the bottom was 99% free of moisture. I will of course verify it’s is totally dry before home storage. This tent easily wins my prize for accuracy of description and value, top quality, and At about 1 lb Per person a great buy. When I ordered the tent the Tarptent Co. informed me it was not in stock, back-ordered, I replied please “fulfill my order when you avalable – tent arrived in less than two weeks.
Greg B –
My Tarptent Motrail is now an old friend. I purchased it in 2016. I’ve been using it on various trails throughout New England but mostly section hiking on the AT. In 2016, 2017 and 2018 I’ve used it as a solo hiker. It’s only 34oz and I’m a big guy (6’3”). I love this tent!!! It is huge for one person and I’m am totally spoiled. Well, in 2019, my 13 year old son decided that he wanted to hike with me. I made the decision to see how it would work with both of us in the Motrail. Well, much to my surprise, we fit fine with no trouble at all. There really is plenty of room for both of us. The vestibule is big enough for all of our gear which gives us plenty of room inside. The Motrail has been home for the both of us for 17 nights last year. It’s been great teaching Theo about backpacking as I learn more myself. He is hooked! We have a great agenda planned for this year but my only question is……..do I get him a Protrail and reclaim my space or do we hang together as best buds in the Motrail for another year. I think the later…… the accommodations are great and he’ll be all grown up before I know it. Thanks for making a great product so that I can feel confident to go out there to make these great memories!
Christina –
I love my MoTrail! I’ve had it for two years now. I’ve used it in windy weather, rain, and snow and it’s done well on all. It does have a bit of a learning curve in terms of putting it up and in inclement weather you definitely want to make use of those extra stake options, but overall I couldn’t be happier. It’s massive for a lightweight two person tent – both me and whoever I’m hiking can fit ourselves AND our packs inside. Thanks for making a wonderful product :)
Cory S –
This tent is great, I’m really blown away!! I had used it for the first time this past weekend and it held up through a night of light rain and a downpour incredibly well! What you get for the price point is an incredible value. Large enough floor for 2 of average height, with plenty of vestibule space for two small/medium packs + shoes. Limited room for sitting up, but enough to get by. The lower ceiling space is a plus for me as the tent does not lose any function, while keeping the weight and volume to a minimum. This tent is also nearly effortless to set up; took me no more than 5 minutes the first night and about 2 minutes the second night. Staking out with additional line at all the tie-out points is great for windy/rainy weather, but I also found it allows for better airflow through the tent as well, helping to reduce morning condensation. A little condensation was present the second morning, but nothing a small cloth wasn’t able to clean up! Very impressed and happy with my purchase. Thanks, Tarptent!
Samuel Bradshaw –
Thank you so much. I can’t tell you how happy I’ve been with my tarptent decsion. Your amazing product is only made better by your amazing customer service. Kudos. Faith in humanity restored!
Tim B (verified owner) –
Love my MoTrail, used on the PCT in Oregon. Easy setup and take down. Plenty if room for me and my pack. Light and strong. No problems here with the MoTrail.